NGK opens catalytic converter substrate plant in Africa

1 February 2001

NGK Insulators, Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan said it will commence production of HONEYCERAM, ceramic substrates for automotive exhaust catalytic converters in South Africa. The opening ceremony for the new plant will be held on February 2.

NGK established NGK Ceramics South Africa (Pty) Ltd in February 2000, and began plant construction with a 2 billion yen investment in May 2000. Two shuttle kilns are installed in a plant on a 30,000 m2 plot with a 10,000 m2 building. Semi-manufactured products that are formed in Japan and Belgium will be fired in this new plant with an annual production capacity of 6 million units. NGK Ceramics South Africa is preparing for mass production and will commence shipping from April 2001.

NGK group companies are currently manufacturing HONEYCERAM in Japan, Belgium, the US, Indonesia, and NGK Ceramics South Africa becomes the fourth NGK overseas production facility.

NGK Ceramics South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Company Name: NGK CERAMICS SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD

Establishment Date: February 2000

Location: Cape Town Airport Industria, suburb of Cape Town in Western Cape Province

Paid-in Capital: 60 million Rand

Controlling Share: NGK INSULATORS, LTD 95%, MITSUI & CO., LTD. 5%

President: Shun Matsushita (Managing Director and Group Executive, Ceramic Products Business Group of NGK INSULATORS, LTD.)